The Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, located about 60–70 km southwest of Baku, Azerbaijan, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2007) renowned for its collection of over 6,000 rock petroglyphs spread across more than 1,000 rock surfaces.
These ancient carvings, found primarily on the Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdagh mountains, date from the Upper Paleolithic era (ca. 40,000 years ago) to the Middle Ages, offering a remarkable record of prehistoric and early historic life in the Caucasus.
The petroglyphs were first noted in the 1930s during quarrying activities and systematically studied from 1939 by archaeologist Ishag Jafarzadeh, who cataloged over 3,500 carvings. Further research expanded the count and scope.
The carvings span six periods, from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages, reflecting evolving human activities and environmental changes in the region.
The site includes caves, settlements, burial sites, and over 100,000 artifacts (tools, jewelry, bones), providing ...
Old Town Baku, known as Icherisheher (meaning “Inner City”), is the ancient heart of Baku, Azerbaijan, enclosed by 12th-century fortress walls that still stand 8–10 meters high and 3.5 meters thick. Spanning just 22 hectares, this UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2000) reveals layers of human history dating back to the Paleolithic era, with evidence of Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian influences.
Settled as early as the 7th–12th centuries, it evolved from a Bronze Age outpost into a medieval trading hub along the Silk Road, fortified against invasions and serving as the capital of the Shirvanshah dynasty from the late 1300s to around 1500.
By the 19th century, under Russian rule, it transitioned into a vibrant residential quarter—home to about 3,000 people today—blending narrow cobblestone streets, caravanserais, mosques, and bathhouses into a living mosaic of Azerbaijani heritage.
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs
Perched at Icherisheher’s highest ...
The Shirvanshahs’ Palace is a 15th–16th-century architectural gem in Icherisheher, Baku’s Old City, Azerbaijan, and a key part of its UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 2000).
Built primarily under Shirvanshah Ibrahim I (1382–1417), it served as the royal residence, administrative center, and burial site for the Shirvanshah dynasty, which ruled the Shirvan region from the 9th to 16th centuries.
The complex reflects Islamic, Persian, and Shirvani architectural styles, showcasing the dynasty’s wealth and cultural role along the Silk Road.
The palace is a fortified complex with intricate stonework, geometric patterns, and domed roofs. Key components include:
1. Main Palace Building:
• Two-story structure with ornate halls and residential chambers.
• Features detailed stone carvings and arched doorways.
• Houses a museum with artifacts like ceramics, coins, and weapons from the Shirvanshah era.
2. Divan Khana (Court Assembly Hall):
• Open pavilion with delicate columns, used for royal audiences ...
The Maiden Tower (Azerbaijani: Qız Qalası), also known as Giz Galasi, is one of Baku’s most iconic landmarks—a mysterious, cylindrical stone fortress perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Caspian Sea in the heart of the Old City (Icherisheher).
Standing about 29.5 meters (97 feet) tall and 16.5 meters (54 feet) in diameter at the base, with walls up to 5 meters thick, it’s a symbol of Azerbaijan’s ancient heritage. Its enigmatic design and legends have inspired poetry, ballets (like Afrasiyab Badalbeyli’s 1940 Maiden Tower), and even currency motifs.
As part of the Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshahs’ Palace, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 (extended in 2001), recognizing its role in blending Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Persian, Islamic, and Ottoman influences.
The tower’s origins are shrouded in mystery, with no definitive records of its construction.
• Early Foundations: Built over pre-existing structures from the 7th–6th centuries BC or even the Palaeolithic era, with...
